Many businesses want to reach customers in different parts of the world. However, some countries have strict internet rules that can block or slow down websites. This includes regions like China, Russia, Iran, and Turkey.
To fix this, businesses need to know how to whitelist websites to work in China and other restricted regions. This means making changes so that their website meets the local internet regulations and works smoothly in restricted regions. In this blog, we will explain how to whitelist website to work in China and other countries with internet restrictions.
Understanding Regional Website Restrictions
Before you dive into the basics of how to whitelist websites to work in China. Different countries have different rules about the internet. Some block websites that do not follow local laws. For example:
- China has the “Great Firewall,” which blocks foreign websites and services that don’t comply with government regulations.
- Russia enforces strict internet laws, requiring websites to be hosted locally.
- Iran blocks many Western websites and requires local hosting.
- Turkey has restrictions on media content and certain online services.
Businesses that want to reach customers in these regions must follow the local rules. If they don’t, their website may load slowly or not work at all.
How Requests from Servers from China & Other Restricted Regions Impact Website Accessibility?
When users from restricted regions try to visit your website, their requests may be filtered, delayed, or completely blocked based on government regulations. Many governments use strict internet controls to regulate what content can be accessed. This can impact businesses trying to reach users in these regions. If your website is not optimized for these restrictions, users may experience slow loading times, broken pages, or complete inaccessibility.
Here are some common reasons why websites do not work properly in restricted regions:
- Blocked by local firewalls – Some governments have firewalls that block websites that do not comply with their local regulations. If your website is seen as non-compliant, it may be completely inaccessible in that region.
- Hosting location matters – Websites hosted outside of restricted regions may face slow speeds or may not load at all. For example, if your website is hosted in the U.S. but users are trying to access it from China, it may take a long time to load or be blocked altogether. Choosing china hosting or other local hosting solutions can help improve accessibility.
- Use of restricted external services – Some governments restrict access to global services like Google, Facebook, and YouTube. If your website relies on these services, such as using Google Analytics or Facebook login, it may not work properly. This is especially relevant for businesses trying to manage requests from servers from China, where such services are blocked.
- Domain restrictions – Certain domain extensions, such as .com or .org, may be more likely to be blocked. Some countries encourage the use of local domain extensions, like .cn in China or .ru in Russia, to comply with regulations.
To ensure seamless website accessibility in restricted regions, businesses must implement strategic solutions. This includes hosting their website on servers within China, aligning with local regulatory requirements, and eliminating content that may trigger access restrictions. If companies fail to take these measures, they may find themselves struggling to connect with users in these regions or facing accessibility issues.
Step-by-Step Guide to Whitelist Your Website for Restricted Regions
Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure your website complies with regulations and remains accessible in restricted regions. By following these steps, you can improve your website’s accessibility and avoid issues caused by internet restrictions in different countries.
1. Check If Your Website is Blocked
Before making any changes, you need to check if your website is accessible in different restricted regions. Many countries block websites without informing website owners, so testing access regularly is important.
You can use online tools that simulate access from restricted regions. Websites like GreatFire.org help test if a site is accessible in China, while WebSitePulse can check access from multiple countries. Run these tests frequently to ensure your website is not being blocked.
2. Remove or Modify Restricted Content
Governments block websites for various reasons, and some content may not comply with local regulations. You should check if your website has any restricted content that could cause it to be blocked in different countries.
Some common restricted elements include:
- Political or controversial topics – Avoid discussing sensitive political issues.
- Social media widgets – Many countries block Facebook, Twitter, and Google services.
- Third-party services – Some external services, such as Google Analytics or YouTube videos, may not load in certain regions.
If your website contains any of these elements, consider removing or replacing them with alternatives that comply with local laws.
3. Use Country-Specific Services
Many popular services that websites rely on are restricted in certain countries. Using local alternatives can help ensure your website remains functional for users in these regions. Here are some recommended replacements:
- Use Baidu Maps instead of Google Maps in China.
- Use VK login instead of Facebook login in Russia.
- Use WeChat Pay instead of PayPal in China.
- Use local CDNs instead of globally restricted services to improve website speed and accessibility.
By using country-specific services, you can prevent functionality issues and improve the user experience for visitors from restricted regions.
4. Host Your Website Locally
Hosting your website within a restricted region is one of the most effective ways to ensure it remains accessible. Websites that are hosted outside the country may load slowly or be blocked entirely due to government-imposed restrictions.
Here’s why local hosting is beneficial:
- Faster loading speeds – Websites hosted within the country will load faster for local users.
- Better compliance – Local hosting ensures that your website follows country-specific internet regulations.
- Improved security – Hosting in the target country reduces the risk of restrictions and bans.
For example, businesses targeting China should consider china hosting solutions, while those aiming for Russia should choose local Russian web hosting providers. If local hosting is not possible, using web hosting in China or a regional alternative can be a good compromise.
Alternative Hosting Solutions If You Don’t Want to Host Locally
If you don’t want to host your website in a restricted region, you can still improve access by using alternative methods. These strategies help optimize your website’s performance while avoiding the need to fully comply with local hosting regulations.
1. Use a Nearby Server
Hosting your website in a country close to your target audience can help improve speed and reliability without needing to meet strict local compliance requirements. For example, if your website is targeting users in China, you could host it in Hong Kong or Singapore. These locations offer better connectivity while avoiding the need for an ICP license. Hosting in nearby regions allows businesses to bypass some regulations while still providing fast and reliable service.
2. Use a Global CDN with Local Support
A Content Delivery Network (CDN) helps speed up website delivery by caching content on multiple servers worldwide. Some CDN providers, like Cloudflare, Akamai, and Tencent Cloud, have specialized services that improve website performance in restricted regions. This can reduce latency, improve page load times, and ensure smooth access even if your website is hosted outside the target region. Using a CDN that supports requests from servers from China or other restricted regions ensures your content reaches users more efficiently.
3. Optimize Website Performance
Improving your website’s speed and efficiency is another way to enhance access in restricted regions. A well-optimized website loads faster and is less likely to be flagged by firewalls or content filters. Here are some ways to achieve this:
- Reduce large image sizes – Compress images using tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim.
- Enable browser caching – Store frequently used website elements locally on users’ devices.
- Use lightweight coding – Avoid excessive scripts and large CSS files that slow down your site.
- Minimize third-party integrations – Some regions block services like Google Analytics and YouTube. Using local alternatives can help keep your website accessible.
4. Use Alternative Hosting Solutions
If hosting in China or other restricted regions is not an option, you can use hybrid solutions. Some web hosting companies provide services specifically designed to work in these areas without requiring full compliance. Web hosting in China through providers like Alibaba Cloud and Huawei Cloud offers optimized solutions that keep websites accessible without full local hosting commitments.
5. Monitor Website Accessibility Regularly
After setting up these strategies, keep checking your website’s performance. Use testing tools to see if your site works in restricted regions. Tools like GreatFire.org, WebSitePulse, and Dotcom-Monitor can help find issues. Regular checks help keep your site accessible and allow quick fixes if needed.
Conclusion
To make your website work in restricted regions, follow local laws and use approved hosting. Remove any blocked content to avoid access problems. Hosting in the region or using a legal CDN can help your site load quickly. This also helps users in those areas have a better experience.
Expanding into these markets can bring new business opportunities. A properly set up website ensures smooth access for customers worldwide.
For businesses needing secure internet access in restricted regions, PureWL provides white-label VPN solutions. We also offer custom website solutions for VPN resellers. Our services help you build a strong online presence with reliable performance. Visit PureWL to learn more.